Aaron Kampman @ Lifest 2009 – “Grow and Go Where You Are”
Jul 20, 2009 Concert News
by Rob Snyder
Green Bay Packers All-Pro defensive lineman Aaron Kampman told a big audience to not let what they do become how they define who they are.
Kampman spoke at The Edge stage during Lifest Saturday morning. He used the word “grow” as an acronym to illustrate his point.
“G” = Guard your identity. Aaron told the crowd that while he had grown up in a Christian home, his self-worth became wrapped up in being an athlete and becoming a NFL player. That was until one of his college coaches told Aaron that he had no future as a football player. “I was completely devastated,” Aaron said.
Aaron said that God did a “ton of refining” and he began to realize that he “was worth Christ’s sacrifice.” Aaron referred to Colossians 2:20 and challenged his audience to understand where their true identity lays and it’s not what we do for a living
“R” = Remove your mask. Simply put, “Be yourself,” Aaron said. But, he said, ‘We want to have real relationships but the digital world and reality TV” is not the same thing as an intimate, real connection.
For advice on how to be one’s self, Aaron referred to 2 Corinthians 3:18 (look it up!).
“O” = Operate with awareness. “Don’t focus on self so much that you forget about others around you,” Aaron said. “Pray for eyes to see, be sensitive to others around you.”
Aaron brought up Isaiah 61: 1-2 during this portion of his presentation.
“W” = develop a Winner’s character. During the final portion of his talk, Aaron made extensive references to the words of his high school football coach, the late Ed Thomas. If you are not familiar with the tragic, yet inspiring story of the late head football coach of Parkersburg, IA, I would direct your attention to the recent cover story in Sports Illustrated.
Parkersburg was destroyed by a tornado in June, 2008. Thomas helped rally his community. Aaron noted that Thomas was already a man of passion and integrity but that after the tornado, Thomas reached “a new level in sharing his faith.”
Aaron said, “That was a tough day,” when he learned that his former coach had been gunned down while supervising a weight training session this summer
And yet the power of the Gospel shone through those darkest of hours.
“Evil tried to take out a good man but it didn’t work,” Aaron said, “because the good news was proclaimed.”
“I don’t have all the answers,” Aaron concluded, “but if you were to find yourself standing before Jesus Christ today, would you be excited to see him or, regretfully, hang your head and say you’re sorry. Only you know that answer.”
So much fuss is made over role models; who is and who isn’t one, for example; but Aaron Kampman is one person in this world’s spotlight who’s willing to use his platform to let His light shine.
BarlowGirl Inteview (30-CC)
Jul 20, 2009 Concert News
Below is a link to the BarlowGirl interview for 30-CC that was taken at Lifest.
Lifest – Day 2 Pictures
Jul 10, 2009 Concert News
Tags: Children 18:3, DecembeRadio, Leeland, Superchick, TobyMac
Day 2
Jul 10, 2009 Concert News
The second day of lifest had many highlights, but nothing was more interesting and fun than just chatting with the artist informally. Short chats with Jonathan Rundman, Jadon Lavik, Leeland, and longer more in depth discussions with Wavorly and Heatherlyn. It’s awesome to get the chance to get to know the artist more deeply than what the usual publicity allows.
One thing I noticed this morning though, was that even at a Christian Music festival, I can’t get away from the MJ-Mania. The sound man was playing a little MJ and the ladies in the tent across from me were dancing and reminiscing about their favorite MJ songs. Blah, Blah, Blah…
Anyway, more awesome shows today, including DecembeRadio, TobyMac, Leeland, and Superchick. I also caught comedian Bob Smiley on the Cafe’ stage as well as Tenth Avenue North. Rob and I shot a video interview with Leeland as well and Rob did a little Q&A with BarlowGirl too. You can look for those videos on Youtube by searching for 30-CC.
Until tomorrow…
I’m Here!
Jul 8, 2009 Concert News
After little over 2hrs trolling through a vehicle lineup at the gate, I am finally on the grounds. I hit the ground running with an interview with the band Manic Drive. “Manic” is the right word to describe them for sure. The video interview will be seen on 30-CC once the bands new music video is available.
Because of a schedule conflict there will be no interview with Skillet after all. Bummer. Either way, I will be catching them on the stage later tonight and I hope to get some great pictures.
Stay tuned….
Getting Ready for Lifest 2009
Jul 8, 2009 Concert News
Greetings!
It is 8am here in Platteville, cloudy and a bit wet, but that will not deter my mission today. That is to get to Oshkosh, WI for Lifest 2009! I have big plans today including a possible interview with John Cooper of Skillet. Stay tuned…
Featuring – Travis Cottrell
Jul 6, 2009 Feature
Alpha Omega News
Interview With Travis Cottrell
Submitted by Rob Snyder
Travis, congratulations on your new record, “Jesus Saves LIVE.”
Thank you! It was a very hard process…harder than any project I have done in the past. We had so many obstacles, but I am so thankful for the finished product.
First, what do you hope to accomplish through your gift of music? Do you want to lead worship? See your compositions used by the church-at-large?
More than anything, I feel like my calling in the kingdom of God is that of EQUIPPER. I hope that any project or resource I am a part of creating will equip people to worship. That may mean for the soccer moms who need encouragement in their car…or it may mean for the worship pastor who needs accessible music and resources to use to lead his or her church body in worship. Whatever the scenario, I pray that this project (and all of my music) will ultimately equip people to worship the Lord, and connect to Him through the presence of the Holy Spirit.
I must admit I’m not a big fan of live recordings but your audio engineer did a great job-the recording sounds very clean.
Thank you. Paul Mills mixed the project. He is the king of live worship records. I am so thankful for his gifts and his heart to serve people.
The record opens with “To the King.” It comes across as one of those praise songs that while you’re lifting up the Lord, you’re being lifted up as well.
“To The King” is one of my favorites on the record. My wife wrote it. The verses and chorus are straight scripture. It is a good way to start any worship time…with the Word of God from the very onset.
Your audience was very enthusiastic. Does that feed into your performance?
We had an awesome crowd the night of the recording. As a worship leader, I do my best to meet the crowd where they are, listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and hopefully take them to a new place. I want them to feel safe to be who they are in the presence of God, but also gently push them to be as expressive as they feel God would have them to be. Definitely the crowd at the recording was high energy, and that was very nice to embrace for the project.
Is there an overall message in the new record?
I didn’t set out to have a defining theme. But it seems that the Lordship and Kingship of Christ is a prevalent theme throughout. We live in a generation that seems to question, run from, and disrespect authority more and more. So establishing Jesus as Lord through our own personal worship is an important message to embrace.
What was it like working with Cindy Morgan? And how does her song “Praise the King” fit in with what you’re trying to accomplish with this recording?
Cindy is probably my favorite songwriter on the planet. I am so honored to have her on this project. And “Praise the King” is one of my favorite songs ever. I can’t imagine a worship setting where it wouldn’t fit.
I also really enjoyed “Mercy Seat.” Tell me about that song.
“Mercy Seat” is an older song that has been around for a while. But because of our ministry alongside Beth Moore, it fits what we do live so well. She is such a great communicator of the mercies of God. So the song has become an integral part of our ministry with her. Angela Cruz sings on my team. And she communicates when she sings that sings that song in an amazing and powerful way.
What’s going to be included on the bonus DVD?
The bonus DVD is a taste of what is to come in the full length concert DVD, which releases September 1. The bonus version has some clips of some of the songs, as well as some teaching from the concert night from both Max Lucado and Beth Moore.
You’re going to be at the National Worship Leader Conference in July. Are you leading worship? Workshops? Both?
I’m leading worship.
You participated in this year’s Annual Day of Prayer in Washington, D.C. What was your role?
I led worship for the main event in Washington with the Dobsons, and with Beth, who was this year’s national spokesperson. Beth and I also traveled to Lancaster, PA to be a part of their NDOP rally, which had over 18,000 in attendance.
Good luck with your new record. May your activities continue to bless others.
Thanks so much. May God bless you and your ministry, too.
Tags: Travis Cottrell
Travis Cottrell – Jesus Saves LIVE
Jul 6, 2009 CD Reviews
Travis Cottrell
“Jesus Saves LIVE”
Indelible Creative Group
14 tracks @ 74:05
Grade = A
This live CD featuring worship leader Travis Cottrell was recorded along with 7,000 worshipers in Atlanta, GA. Those who have enjoyed the live worship projects of Michael W. Smith will appreciate this record.
“To the King” is a simple praise song that lifts up the audience while they are lifting up the Lord. I also enjoyed “Mercy Seat.”
Cindy Morgan makes an appearance and performs “Praise the King.”
There is a forthcoming bonus DVD. Check out our interview with Travis for more insight into Travis and his music ministry.
- Rob S.
Tags: Travis Cottrell
